CHANDIGARH: A peaceful bandh was observed in Punjab on Monday on a call given by panthic organisations in protest against police firing in Ludhiana, causing death of one person. The police fired on Sikhs going to stop Ashutosh Maharaj of Nurmahal dera from holding its function.

Jagmohan Singh adds from Amritsar: During a day-long Punjab bandh call given by radical Sikh organisations to protest killing of a demonstrator in alleged police firing in Ludhiana evoked an enormous response today in the holy city of Amritsar.

Shriomani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also closed all its administrative offices including Amritsar based headquarter.

Throughout the day, bus, rail and air services remained normal but today less number of passengers in trains and buses were noticed. However, all the business establishments, petrol and diesel outlets, hotels, restaurants remained closed.

During the Bandh call, hospitals, chemist shops were remained in functioning. All private educational institutions, including schools, were completely closed. However, there was no holiday in the Government run educational institutions, said Deputy Commissioner office.

The bandh was peaceful, as no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state, officials said. SSP P.K Rai along with his force remained on patrolling throughout the day in city to keep eye on law and order.

Few Sikh organizations including Sikh Student Federation and activists of Damdami Taksal burnt the effigy of Asutosh outside the Gandhi Gate in protest against the killing of Sikh youth at Ludhiana.

Mixed response of Punjab Bandh in Patiala

Gagandeep Ahuja adds from Patiala: The mixed response was witnessed of here on Monday of Punjab Bandh which was called by various Sikh organizations in protest of Ludhiana incident.

Shops and business establishments were closed in Dharmpura Bazar, Sher-e- Punjab Market, Anardana Chowk, Adalat Bazar, Sadar Bazar etc. Where as few shops were opened in Arya Samaj and Arnabarna Chowk areas.

Police sources said that a Akali MC Kanwaljit Singh Gona was arrested along with his few associates in Anardana Chowk area for precautionary measures.

However Banks and government schools were open and private schools have declared holiday for today. Buses and rail traffic has been plying normally.

Complete bandh observed in Phagwara

Sameer Kaur adds from Phagwara: A complete bandh was observed in Phagwara here on Monday. Normal life remained paralysed during Punjab bandh.

Buses and other vehicles could hardly been seen on the roads while schools and colleges remained closed.However govt offices and banks worked normally but few customers were seen in their premises.

The route of Delhi-Lahore bus was diverted from Phagwara via Rahon-Samrala-Khanna.